Page 111 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

POB THE TEAS 191* 101
There lias been no material improvement during the year in the arrange­
ments for the Landing and Delivery of
Landing and Delivery of Cargo.
Cargo, except in so far as the shed, referred
in the preceding paragraph, has facilitated the protection of cargo landed
t0 the weather.
from
Tho regime of Ahmed Yatim bin Ali (Arab) continued until April,
by that time were in such a state of confusion, complaints by all classes
* the community so rife, and Ahmed Yatim himself so anxious to be rid
the business, that Shaikh Isa decided to replace him. Various candidates
rcre brought before Urn Shaikh by various interested parties. Hearing this
the Political Agent reminded the Shaikh that he Fhould only make a new
appointment after discussion and agreement with the Agency.
Shaikh Isa replied that ho had already appointed Abdul Karim Khadim
(Persian) who appeared to him to be a very suitable man for the post. The
political Agent expostulated but without effect, and finally lodged a' formal
objection refusing to accord approval on behalf of Government.
The Shaikh maintained his ground and the appointment duly took effect
Abdul Karim, a mean and lying low class Persian, had already during a long
tenure of office (in 1907-10) proved his incompetence and objectionableness, and
his re-appointment now for a year was generally unpopular. He gave the
ordinary undertaking to the Shaikh, but the sum to be paid for the privilege
of landing cargo was raised from Rs. 14,400 to Its. 18,000.
This has made Abdul Karim extremely grasping, and has led to many
complaints against his exactions, which, though contrary to precedent, were in
some cases in accordance with the letter of the law..
Strong objection to his irregular action was expressed to the Shaikh by the
Political Resident on his visit in June, and the whole unsatisfactory state of
the Landing Management was discussed at length, but resulted only in the
customary vague and futile promises of improvement by Shaikh Isa.
He was given a month in which to talk matters over with the Political
Agent and evolve some new system, preferably including the appointment of
some responsible outside persons satisfactory to us, to supervise the Department.
Failing the production of some such scheme, the whole question would be referred
to Government. Shaikh Isa resolutely declined to discuss the matter, and in
due course, in August, the Political Resident addresed the Government of India
on the subject in a long despatch (No. 1956, dated 25th August 1912), review­
ing the past history and present position of the affair. In December, orders
vere received from the Government of India to call upon the Shaikh, to frame
and submit a suitable scheme within a specified time.
At the end of the year the Shaikh stated that he was giving the matter
his consideration.
On the removal of Ahmed Yatim, a large number of claims were lodged
against him for cargo lost, not delivered, or damaged. Claims, some of which
dated back 18th months, amounting to Rs. 50,000 by 13 Banya firms were
received in the Agency.
As the Agency is unable to deal with such cases independently, while
Shaikh Isa is incapable of discussing them, and the Majlis-ul-Urfi. afraid to
touch them, new machinery had to be devised. Eventually, a Special Majlis to
investigate the claims was appointed conjointly by the Political Agent and
Shaikh Isa. -
This Majlis sat in May and June. It expressed itself unable to give an
opinion in regard to rice damaged by rain which pecuniarily constituted the
hulk of the claims. This was not to be wondered at as Shaikh Isa had
always repudiated all responsibility on the part of the Department for losaes so
caused.
. In all the other claims, however, the Landing Agent, either admitted hit
Ability, or his liability was asserted by the Court.
A considerable number of these claims were then, or have since been, met
!Q most cases by the production of goods, showing that the Defendant had been
J* the process of appropriating them to himself, a fact which was already well
^°wn though not proved.